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Go to "Has Anybody Had Surgery With Dr. Arata - California?" or search Dr. Arata on TIMS. A few of us have had surgery at Pacific Interventionalists. Personally, I loved it there. Very knowledgeable and compassionate. Had my surgery Sept. 2, 2010 and just had e-mails from them in the last two days still. Very caring but also busy.

I had my CCSVI surgery by Dr. Arata on Sept. 21,2010 in California. I found him to be very knowledgeable on this surgery. He is a doctor that is truly dedicated to the cause of helping MS patients by this surgery. And due to TIMS, I first learned about Dr. Arata. I have since had e-mails from other patients that have had their surgeries done by this group or will be going there in the future. I met `Music` through this web site and she has been very helpful especially before my surgery and after. Thanks again, friend..............

MA wrote:There is a center "Pacific Interventional" offering this, has anyone been there? how was your experience ther?

Hi, I just returned from Newport Beach. I had the procedure done at Pacific Interventional. Dr. Hewitt seems to be the head surgeon. Dr. Harris seems to be the main CCSVI surgeon more recently. Dr. Grawal is next, and that is who did my procedure because of a scheduling conflict. I was worried because I did not want to get someone who was not as experienced with CCSVI or angioplasty for that matter. I was told that she is very nice. I did not care if she was nice as long as she was experienced with the procedure.

The staff seems overwhelmed. I had the MRV done in the Buffalo study and forwarded that cd to PI. The Cd was lost and one of the staff members was nice enough to track it down at UPS. Once they found the CD, Dr. Harris talked to me and told me that I indeed had blockages that were visible in both jugulars.

They made the appointment quickly, which is what lead to the scheduling conflict. After I booked the flight, plans, etc based on one date, they had to change it and put me with Dr. Grawal. At this point, I just held my breath and moved forward with the procedure, hoping that Dr. Grawal was as experienced as Dr. Harris. They confirmed she had done many procedures, etc. They basically ask you to sign away your rights to a trial if they are negligent. They do this after you spend a day traveling out there. I think that is something they should let you read and agree to before flying out there. The pre appt the day before Dr. Grawal was over an hour late so I went through all of my questions with Dr. Harris who answered everything knowledgeably. I just would have liked to have met the surgeon who was going to be doing the procedure.

The staff called me in to do the procedure 2 hours before my scheduled time. I went in thinking that they would start me 2 hours earlier. That was not the case. A prep nurse wanted to get me set up early so she could head out early. Meanwhile, I sat looking up at the ceiling for 2 hours. I still did not get a moment to meet Dr. Grawal until I was about to be rolled into the procedure. And yes, she was very nice.

Once the procedure began, I did not feel the incision for the catheter. However when the balloon was expanded in the jugular, I almost jumped off the bed. It hurt alot! Each balloon expansion was painful. I was amazed that I was awake the whole procedure and I remember everything. When Dr. Grawal got to the azygous vein, she was having a problem. This lasted for a while. Finally she had to get Dr. Hewitt. All of this while I am awake and watching! He came in and put his elbow into me and somehow that opened a valve maybe and she got through? Because a few moments later she ballooned the azygous and pain!

I was so happy when it was all over. Relieved.

I did not have the rush of warmth to the extremities nor the lifting of fog or the relief from fatigue. Frankly, I am more exhausted at the moment and I am hoping and praying that it is just jet lag and recuperation time needed from the procedure and not MS flare up. It's only been a week. I am trying to ask about after care, records, but it's been a little tough. Once you are out of there, I guess you are out of there...

OMG Chilli, you don't seem to be very happy with how things went! I hope you get those improvements (and more) once you recover from jet lag, etc.

With regards to aftercare, what exactly did you get? Did you have a follow-up app. the following day and if yes, what exactly did they do? I have the impression from what other people said that they are not using Doppler (but please correct me if I'm wrong!). In fact I'm praying I'm wrong because I'm considering having treatment with them. Even though I live in the UK I would travel all the way because I'm hoping 1. they are more experienced than EHC 2. they are using the bigger balloons + destroying the valves technique and it seems their restenosis rates are low 3. they check out the iliac and the sinuses as well and treat them (hopefully?) if needed.

However I have two issues that make me slightly uncertain: one of them is that there doesn't seem to be a follow-up Doppler (and what if e.g. there is a thrombosis, which could have been picked up by Doppler?) and the other one is that they don't make patients lie for several hours. I'm sure there is a reason all the European centres do do that; and if PI don't, don't the jugulars stick together potentially causing restenosis?

My sister-in-law (quite progressed; 4 yrs. full-time chair and minimal use of hands) is now 2 months post treatment at P.I. Very favourable report from her re her experience there, and she has some definite improvements. Her feet are no longer swollen/cold, she has better colour, a stronger voice, sleeps better, has more energy and better vision. Her left hand has some small improvement, but her right hand is significantly better. She can use a fork etc., which may not sound like a big deal; but its a very big deal if you haven't been able to do so for some time. She is able to stand (assisted) and bear weight on her legs for short periods (has not been able to do this for about 3 yrs.). Needless to say, her mood is also better in conjunction with these improvements. She had both jugulars and her azygous treated. She does not post here, but I thought I would share this. I will also post if there is a slide backwards, but things look good right now.

prairiegirl wrote:She had both jugulars and her azygous treated. She does not post here, but I thought I would share this. I will also post if there is a slide backwards, but things look good right now.

What great news Prairiegirl, thanks a lot for sharing! Hope these improvements will last and many more will come!

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